Towns proclaim 'Buy Local week' Nov. 30-Dec. 6

PORTSMOUTH — In an effort to give the local economy a much-needed boost this holiday season, towns throughout the Seacoast proclaimed "Buy Local Week" on Nov. 30 through Dec. 6.

Buy Local Week encourages shoppers to seek out local businesses during the biggest retail shopping week of the year.

"Where you spend really does matter," said Portsmouth's Mayor Tom Ferrini. "We recognize the important role that local businesses have in our economy and are strongly committed to growing our local business base."

The City of Portsmouth and towns of Dover, Durham, Exeter, Greenland, Kittery, Lee, North Hampton, South Berwick, Stratham, and York are participating.

Money spent at locally owned businesses is estimated to re-circulate at least twice as much in the community compared to money spent at non-locally owned businesses.

Buy Local Week is a project of Seacoast Local. Seacoast Local will celebrate with purchasing parties called "Shift Mobs" every day during Buy Local week. Shift Mobs bring folks together on a specific day to support a specific locally owned business, and in doing so help introduce customers to a unique business.

During Buy Local week, the Shift Mobs will also serve as a place for donations to Seacoast Local's (H)EAT campaign. Seacoast Local businesses aim to raise funds for 10,000 meals and 10,000 gallons of heating oil assistance this year.

Here's where you can join the Shift Mobs:

— Monday, Nov. 30 : Local Toys: Shift Mob at Treehouse Toys and G. Willikers in Portsmouth. G. Willikers is open 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Treehouse Toys is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

— Tuesday, Dec. 1: Local Art: Shift Mobs at Red Door Pottery, Just Us Chickens Artist Co-op and D. Pratt Framer in Kittery. Red Door Pottery is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9:30 p.m.; Just Us Chickens Artist Co-Op is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and D. Pratt Framer is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

— Wednesday, Dec. 2: Local Books: Shift Mob at RiverRun and SecondRun Bookstore in Portsmouth. RiverRun will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and SecondRun will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

— Thursday, Dec. 3: Meet Downtown: Shift Mob at Holiday Open House in Exeter. Celebrate a thriving downtown at Exeter's 22nd annual Open House. Seacoast Local members like Serendipity, Me & Ollie's, and Blue Moon Market, plus many more, will be open until 8 p.m.

— Friday, Dec. 4: Local Boutiques: Shift Mob at Tugboat Alley and Tulips in Portsmouth. Tulips and Tugboat Alley will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

— Saturday, Dec. 5: Local Food: Shift Mob at Fresh Local Bayside at Great Bay Marina in Newington, the Winter Farmer's Market at Wentworth Greenhouses in Rollinsford, and Philbrick's Fresh Market in Portsmouth. Fresh Local Bayside is open from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; the Winter Farmer's Market at Wentworth Greenhouses runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Philbrick's Fresh Market is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

— Sunday, Dec. 6: Give Your Community a Gift: Shift Your Shopping for the Holiday! If we all make a 10 percent shift, redirecting 10 percent of our annual spending to local, independent businesses we will create hundreds of new jobs and more than $50 million in new economic activity on the Seacoast.

For more information on ways to get involved or donate, visit www.heat-eat.org and www.seacoastlocal.org.